Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The Fat Quarter Shop is excited to welcome Amanda Murphy to the Jolly Jabber. Amanda’s latest fabric collection is Veranda from Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

Q: What was the first seed that grew into the Veranda collection? A: White table linens with hem-stitching. Tulips in crystal vases. The sparkle of green glass in the sun. An elegant tea served “Under the Veranda”. Completely in my imagination, of course. I don’t have the facility to put this together in real life – just in fabric!

Q: If your collection had a soundtrack what would be on the list? A: Anything by Lisa Hannigan.

Q: What single print/SKU in the collection is your favorite (can only pick one!)? A: It changes daily, but today I’ll pick Blossoms and Berries. It is very versatile and works well with all the other fabrics. It also makes an excellent border print.

Q: What is your favorite project you have made using this collection? A: Well, it is hard to pick, but I do love Blossoms because I think the pattern fits the personality of the collection. I also have a small project coming up this winter in Quilters Newsletter that I just love.

Q: What is your favorite part of working in the fabric industry?

A: Hands down it is seeing what all the creative people out there do with my fabric – or my patterns!

Q: What is your absolute favorite thing in your house? A: Children don’t count as things, right? If they don’t, then I would have to say my graphics tablet!

Q: Which project stands out in your memory as your all-time favorite? A: My daughter and I made the Under the Veranda sampler in just 5 days. That was a bonding experience, to say the least.

Q: Where do you do your best thinking? Can we see a photo of your studio? A: There is a room above our garage that just last week was a TOTAL disaster. It is a combination guest room/overflow design space with old furniture and new fabric. It would be way too generous and not at all accurate to term it “eclectic”. My dad visited and now we have shelving. (Everything you see on these shelves was previously on the floor! Literally. You could barely walk. Thanks, dad!

Of course, guests still must launch themselves over piles of quilts to get into bed.

That being said, I do most of my work in the main part of our house in the same room that our kids do schoolwork. It is just too hard to be in separate spaces. (When our kids were little they wouldn’t eat spaghetti because they thought it was thread. Don’t judge.) So the front room of our house is frequently a mess, but it is very well-used. This is our reality.

Luckily, our son prefers to work on the floor, which helps…

Q: What is your favorite snack food? A: Since it is summer we are enjoying berries of every type along with the hot humid Charlotte weather. Wish the two didn’t go hand in hand.

Q: What is your one guilty pleasure in life? A: German chocolate cake! You can’t go wrong with coconut and chocolate!

Thanks so much to Amanda Murphy for stopping by the Jolly Jabber, but before she goes, how about a giveaway?! All you have to do is comment on Amanda Murphy's post and tell us what you love about one of her collections or patterns! Good luck!

I love the colors in her Veranda line...especially the purples and yellows. I was a little confused about whether I should post here or on her blog. Her blog has the giveaway where you are supposed to post a fun lie about yourself (which I did ), so I am posting here for this giveaway too. Hope I am correct.

Loved seeing Amanda's space and I'm totally jealous of those shelves with the table attached. Wonderful and very handy looking storage. Very nice. I just LOVE her fabrics but Veranda is one of my favorites of all so far. And the Blossoms quilt is just beautiful with the fun large flower appliques over top. I think those larger flowers were the perfect addition to an already wonderful quilt.

Well, I certainly love all the fun colors Amanda uses in her fabric designs. I think it is great that she home schools her children too. I did it for 16 years and I know how much time it takes. For her to do that and do her designing, quilting, etc is an accomplishment.

amanda murphy, so young, has her priorities in the right order ... her family, her work, and still has time for berry picking! her colorwork reflects this. vibrant, warm, and cheerful. my favorite pattern is her blossoms! love the flowers!

Amanda's Blossom pattern exemplifies what I like about her patterns and fabric lines: it is bright, cheery, and has a real spark. Having read her interview, I see she possesses those same qualities.

As a side note, my sewing is all done on our dining room table, which means I'm involved in everything that goes on in the living room and kitchen, too. We tried having a "sewing room", tucked way down the hall or upstairs (yes, we tried two different rooms) and that never worked. For our family, being together matters more than a pristine work- or living-space. I say, go with what feels right for you.

My comment is about #7 on Amanda's blog, which I already follow. Sometimes it takes a while for stuff to sink in -- so now need to go look and see if I still have the issue with the Jewels quilt using Veranda. Hope win as everyone needs plenty of verandas at their home! Love the storage in her spare sewing space, and German chocolate cake as well. Thanks for the giveaway.